Chapter 9

Raina went into her bedroom to change her clothes and pack up a few things. Just walking back in the house made her chest feel heavy again. Quickly, she tossed what she could grab in a bag. She stared down at the soaked hoodie on the floor. Picking it up, she brought it to her nose to smell if the scent had been washed off. Raina could no longer smell anything off it. She heard footsteps approaching and turned to find Leon walking towards her.

"Do you need help with anything?" Leon asked as he walked towards her open door. Raina dropped the hoodie and placed her backpack on her back. She then shook her head at Leon as she passed him heading downstairs. Raina found herself picking up pace as she got closer to the front door. The air now felt thick in the house and began choking her. Finally, the cool summer night air hit her face as she emerged outside. Raina took a moment and breathed in deep. Leon was now standing at her side. She could see out of her peripheral vision that he was staring at her. As she felt a bit anxious with him staring at her, she began to move down the steps. Weight began to lift off of her shoulders as he took the backpack from her and grabbed her by the hand. She looked down at their hands. It was a comforting feeling with her hand in his. Her heart sank as he let go to open the front door to his house. Raina followed Leon into the house.

"Hey Leon, did you use the last of the shampoo??" Luke asked as he appeared into the living room with just a towel on. Raina's cheeks turned bright red as she turned her head to keep herself from staring. A big grin came across Luke's face. "Oh...excuse me, Raina, I didn't know Leon was bringing company over." Leon leaned down to a grocery bag and grabbed a bottle from it and tossed it at Luke.

"Try to have some manners, will you... Raina is gonna be staying with us for a while, so try to be more clothed from now on." Leon said as he shot Luke a warning look. Luke had that huge grin on his face again and brought his hand to his forehead.

"Yes, sir!" Luke said as he saluted Leon and then turned on his heel, heading back to the bathroom. Raina felt her cheeks finally return to normal.

" This way, Raina, you'll be using my room for the time being. Once I get the guest room cleaned out and set up, you can stay in there." Leon said as he gestured for her to follow him. Raina followed him towards the bedroom. "Sorry, it's kinda a mess... I meant to clean, but I haven't got to it." Looking over the room, Raina found herself questioning his statement. Clean? The room was spotless besides some clean clothes that sat on the bed. To be completely honest, the room was different than she had imagined. If anything, it was pretty empty. Just a bed and simple furniture. There were no pictures or posters to personalize the room at all. Her eyes scanned over the room. That is when she saw it. The only personalized touch to the room, she picked up a small picture frame from on the nightstand. It was one of the four of them on their first camping trip. They were all huddled under the tarp to get away from the rain. She remembered the guys' fight about who was supposed to check the weather. Leon was the only one who thought to bring a tarp just in case. It was her favorite camping trip they had gone on, even though nothing went as planned. She smiled a little as she sat the picture down.

"Where will you sleep if I'm in here??" Raina asked as she took her bag from him. Leon just shrugged as she stared at him, now feeling bad.

"There's a couch...I'll be able to get the guest room set up by tomorrow. I'll be fine." Leon said as he took some of his clothes out of the dresser. Raina stared after him as he made his way out of the room. She took in a deep breath as she sat on the bed. The smell that filled her nose was the same as his hoodie. Slowly, she fell back on the bed and breathed deeply. Her eyes grew heavy as her body relaxed. A hand was suddenly rocking her back and forth. Raina had fallen asleep. She rubbed her eyes to see that it was Leon now in pajamas and his hair was wet. "C'mon ya need to eat. I can tell you haven't eaten in a while. I've got some dinner on the stove." he said as he pushed himself up off the bed. He then offered Raina his hand and helped her up. Before now, the thought of food just made her sick. She could now feel the gnawing agony of her stomach from not eating. Raina followed Leon out to the kitchen. "Have a seat, I'll make ya a plate." Raina sat down at the table. "Luke!? Are you coming to eat?" Leon called out. There were footsteps that could be heard coming towards the kitchen.

"Of course, wouldn't refuse your cooking any day. You can see how much I wasted away at college all year!" Luke said as he gave Raina a wink, "Are you gonna make my plate too???" Leon grumbled a bit in answer. "Kidding, I'm just kidding. I can make my own." he said as he moved to the stove with his plate. Leon came to Raina with a plate piled with food. She had no idea how she would ever finish all that as he sat it in front her.

"You want something to drink pop, water, or milk???" Leon asked her as he grabbed a glass from the cupboard. Luke gave a sly grin.

"How bout something stonger?" he asked, giving her a wink. A small smile came across Raina's face, for they both knew what was coming.

"Luke, when you're 21 and out of my damn house completely, then you can have something stronger... now that being said, Raina, did you want a beer??" Leon said, giving her a side smile.

"Now, what in the hell? She's younger than me! That's some bullshit and special treatment!" Luke said as he held up the laddle point at Leon. Raina giggled a bit at their playful banter.

"Water will be just fine." she said as she picked up her knife and fork. For the first time in a week, she felt somewhat human again.

"Speaking of water, Luke, did you take care of them animals???" Leon said as he made his own plate.

"Yes, I did. They're all fed and bunkered down for the night." He said as he put a spoon full of food in his mouth. Raina glanced between them both and hung her head in shame.

"Thank you both, and I'm sorry that you even had to do that..." she began as she pushed her food around. They had done so much for her this past week, and she was too blind in her sadness to even notice. Leon tapped on the table in front of her.

" Hey now, none of that ya hear? I told ya we're here for you... besides, this lazy ass had nothing better to do anyway." Leon said as he started to eat again.

" Now I take offense to the lazy ass part, but he's right. Don't you worry your pretty little head. We got your back. You just take all the time you need." Luke said as he adjusted himself in his chair. Raina gave a small smile but still felt guilt in her heart. "Now ya best start eating that food more or ol Leon here might try to steal it... I swear I ain't seen a man eat as much as him." he said with a smile and a shake of his head. Raina laughed and picked up her fork again. Leon shook his head.

"That's because you don't work as hard as me, baby brother." Leon said as he stole Luke's biscuit off his plate. Luke pointed his fork at him.

"You see what I mean? Animal, I'm telling ya..." he said with a shake of his head. Leon gave Luke a shove. The three of them continued eating and small talk. Both Leon and Luke tried to keep Raina smiling throughout it. They continued talking even after dinner for a while. Then they decided it was time to hit the hay. Leon made his bed on the couch. Raina walked up behind it and placed her hands on it.

"Thank you again...for everything..." Raina began. Leon raised his hand to protest her continuing. "I know... you said don't, but I needed to say it... so thank you." Leon nodded at her. Raina began to walk towards the bedroom and then turned back, "Goodnight..." Leon looked up at her.

"Goodnight, Raina..." Leon said. Then Rain turned and headed to bed.